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Towards a trait-based understanding of Symbiodiniaceae nutrient acquisition strategies

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A Correction to this article was published on 27 January 2021

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Abstract

Symbiodiniaceae is a diverse group of dinoflagellates that form symbioses with marine invertebrates, provisioning energy and nutrients for their hosts. Symbiont diversity is a well-known predictor of host fitness and stress tolerance. Yet, we have a limited understanding of the mechanisms by which in hospite symbiont communities are structured. Therefore, we hypothesized that phylogenetic differences in nitrogen assimilation may affect symbiont dominance, as has been demonstrated in phytoplankton communities. Here, we quantified species-specific rates of nitrate assimilation using stable isotope labeling, and investigated key traits that have been adopted in phytoplankton ecology to explain the fundamental concept of nitrogen acquisition strategies and size-related trade-offs in Symbiodiniaceae. Traits related to structure and function were measured to look for convergent ecological strategies. Despite the limited sample size, we could distinguish two groups among the five species of Symbiodiniaceae with features described by the phytoplankton’s competition theories for resources: the affinity-adapted species which were associated with larger size, higher nitrogen content and nitrate affinity; and the velocity-adapted species which were small size, efficient in maximum nitrate assimilation, specific carbon assimilation rate, and growth. Our work supports the relevance of a functional trait-based approach to describe Symbiodinaceae diversity. The two contrasting nitrogen acquisition strategies identified may be fundamental to explain the composition and dynamics of Symbiodinaceae in hospite, stressing the importance of bottom-up mechanisms in shaping symbiont composition.

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Acknowledgements

We thank David Suggett and another anonymous reviewer whose detailed comments greatly improved the manuscript. Algal cultures were provided by BURR Culture Collection, Buffalo Undersea Reef Research and maintained at the University of Hong Kong.

Funding

This study was supported by Research Grants Council Hong Kong (GRF #17100014) awarded to DMB.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Swire Institute of Marine Science, University of Hong Kong, Cape d’Aguilar Road, Shek O, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Jane C. Y. Wong & David M. Baker

  2. School of Biological Sciences, Kadoorie Biological Sciences Building, University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong, SAR, China

    Jane C. Y. Wong & David M. Baker

  3. Laboratory of Photobiology, Academic Unit of Reef Systems (Puerto Morelos), Instituto de Ciencias del Mar Y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Apdo. Postal #13, 77500, Cancun, Mexico

    Susana Enríquez

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  2. Susana Enríquez
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  3. David M. Baker
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DB conceived the ideas and secured funding; JW performed experiments and collected the data; JW and SE analyzed and interpreted the data; All authors revised, edited and approved the final manuscript and have agreed to authorship and submission of the manuscript for peer review.

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Correspondence to David M. Baker.

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Wong, J.C.Y., Enríquez, S. & Baker, D.M. Towards a trait-based understanding of Symbiodiniaceae nutrient acquisition strategies. Coral Reefs 40, 625–639 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00338-020-02034-1

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